ENCOURAGEMENT

I’m not sure where to start as the last several weeks have been such a whirlwind. We are in the second half of dry season out here in Kigoma and things are going “dust” fine. Lots of dust and wind, combined with no rain since May makes for quite the dust bowl experience! Thankfully God is used to working with dust! We'd like to share many examples of ENCOURAGEMENT we experienced over the last several weeks! Let’s get started with these pictures of our little village church in Kizenga. (Pictured above and below)

We were recently encouraged when we arrived at the church to find the Sunday school service had already been started! The kids were singing and the service was being led by a local, young brother who recently was asked to help Pagi with the children's ministry. So encouraging to see him jump right in the first week, and the kids loved it! We had over 80 kids that Sunday! Our one elder gave the message for ther adults, and he had obviously put a lot of work into his message which was also encouraging. We are thankful for what we see the Lord doing out there in Kizenga :)

Jennifer's sister, Lynette, came out to visit us with her husband, Jamie Hull, and their 5 children! They stayed with us for 3 weeks, and got to see all of the different things going on out here in Kigoma/Ujiji. It was such an encouragement to have family come visit, knowing the cost of travel and sacrifice of time, but the eternal rewards far outweigh any of these challenges. They came out to the maktaba in Ujiji, and also joined Gerald and I at the 2 elementary schools for our Bible class.

The Tanzanian kids are not used to having many visitors to their schools, so when Jamie and Lynette and kids showed up it was quite the surprise for them. The Lord really used their visit as we had planned to teach on "The Cross", and because of the many visitors, our class size doubled! Many Muslim kids also joined us, who would normally play outside or do homework. Gerald taught both classes and I translated for our visitors. Praise the Lord for the Seed sown in hearts that day, very encouraging!

Everyone enjoyed their visits so much, especially the school children who rarely get to see American children their age, but to have them come to their school for a visit was a real treat for them. It was a blessing also for our guests to see Ujiji, the maktaba, the schools, and the Camp Nuru property.We gave each of the students this past Wednesday a Gideon Bible and they were all so encouraged :)

Students with their new Bibles at Mbano Primary School

Students with their new Bibles at Karuta Primary School

We spent some time at the camp property problem solving and working to clean things up with a good old fashioned work day! Rolling logs, cutting trees, and cleaning things up.

We redirected the drainage water which ran through the property, to now go along the side of the outside wall to the road. This was a big issue as it involves several neighbors, but thankfully everyone was in agreement with the proposal to turn the water this way. This was a huge answer to prayer and a big encouragement as we have just completed that work. The rainy season returns in late September and October, and we will be watching things closely trusting this will solve the problem.

As the Camp Nuru property continues to come together, we took the Hull family out to the orphanage where Gracie was brought when she was found. We visited the babies, and played ball with the young children not yet adopted. Jennifer also gave them a brief tour of the German hospital next door before we left, it was an encouraging time, and always an eye-opening experience.

We pulled off on to the side of the road on the way home and enjoyed a picnic lunch, family time, and the view of the surrounding mountains. (Below) The cousins being crazy :) FUN!

Jennifer took the girls with her to the hospital, and they got to help out with a few babies who were born that day. That also is an eye-opening experience to see how a third world hospital operates. Below, Tori is holding a baby just born through C-section.

We took Jamie with us on our Emmaus trip down to the lakeside villages, and that was a full day of encouragement. We received over 50 exams and had several receiving certificates. Each trip we have one or more who are completing the 35 course program! So encouraging to see these believers growing spiritually and having a hunger for the Word!

Praise the Lord for all of these certificates of completion!

Pagi joined us on this Emmaus trip, but he had plans to go on ahead further down the lake for a weekend of outreach in some other villages. He went ahead of us because the truck throws lots of dirt and rocks on these dirt roads. Eventually he ended up with a flat tire, so we did what we could to help. We put his bike on the top of the truck ! Let's just say... we got some looks!

On the adoption front, we have sent in the social workers report and recommendation to adopt. The report arrived in Dodoma, and was confirmed that it was received and work has begun. We are waiting for the Head Commissioner to issue a court date to approve and finalize the adoption. We have been told that this process can take anywhere from 2-5 months! So, we are praying :) Specifically praying for our court date to be in Kigoma, and not in another city which would involve lots of driving.

Little Grace is such a sweet and smart little girl. She is worth every sacrifice to give her the love and home she needs. The picture above is of her on a recent Sunday at Kizenga looking so happy and content, and below she is reading a book at home before bed. :)

Overall it has been an encouraging month :) We are thankful for the many ways the Lord sustains us, provides for us, and encourages us as we serve Him here in Kigoma/Ujiji. One last bit of encouragement to share is regarding Tori, Jamie and Lynette's oldest (18 years old). She decided to stay on with us for a few months and help with homeschool and Grace as we start a new school year (Tomorrow!). If you remember from previous blog posts, the team that came out earlier in the year also had a "Tori" who stay on for a few months to help us. Now, the Lord has done it again by giving us another "Tori".

We are already praying for another Tori to come out in October as this one returns to Colorado! So if you are reading this and your name is Tori, the Lord is calling you to Kigoma, TZ! Haha! He continues to sustain us, provide for us, and encourage us continually, especially as we stay close to Him, abide in His Word, and keep our eyes looking up!

We thank you all for your prayers and support! This is a busy season the Lord has given us, but He is helping us through it. Your prayers and support mean so much! We hope this blog update is an encouragement to many!

Prayer Requests:

• Please pray for the adoption process as it hits the courts in TZ. We are praying for a court date in Kigoma, a good TZ lawyer, and favor with the judge.

• Please pray for our children as homeschool begins again Monday Aug. 18! We are praying for all of them to adjust back to the school schedule and get acclimated to their new classes (Excellsior Online).

• Please pray for Jennifer as she continues with her Masters Program in Midwifery. She is doing great, but swamped with assaignments, quizzes, and exams :)

• Please pray for John and Justin Wallace as they navigate the Camp Nuru project with other Tanzanians. We especially need wisdom and help from the Lord in a specific matter.

• Please pray for the many at the schools, those taking Emmaus courses, and those in Kizenga to whom we have been teaching or bringing them the Word of God. Pray for spiritual growth and fruit that remains.

• Please pray for Tori as she stays on with us until early October. She is doing great, but let's pray for daily grace as she serves the Lord in this way far from home.

Praise the Lord for hearing and answering our prayers :)

... and thank you ALL so much for holding the rope in prayer!

~ The Kinlaws

Bicycles in the village look a little different :) It actually works! #flintstones Do what you can with what you have...